Tōtara Reserve, Manawatū's only regional park, is open for the camping season.
Less than an hour from Palmerston North, the reserve is nestled in the foothills of the Ruahine Range in Pohangina Valley. It is one of the best and most accessible examples of diverse lowland forest that was once widespread in the Horizons region.
Popular with daytime visitors and walkers, each year the reserve opens for camping from Labour weekend through to Easter.
Horizons Regional Council biodiversity co-ordinator Sue Moore says it's a wonderful spot for families that has grown in popularity as facilities have been upgraded.
"The two campgrounds provide powered and non-powered sites, hot showers, a fire pit, an adventure playground and electric barbecues," Moore says.